Voltaire begins with a discussion of suicide, before turning to the health of his recipient and himself. He notes that the marquise has lost two eyes but has retained friends, wit, imagination, and a good stomach. He, on the other hand, is much older, can’t digets, is going deaf, and is being made blind by the snows of Mont Jura. Voltaire adds that he can neither stay in nor leave Ferney, noting that he has wanted to found a colony there and establish two fine watch factories. He then discusses his financial woes, concluding that he will not kill himself and noting that philosophy is good for something- it consoles. He then discusses his desire to please the recipient’s grandmother and her husband and die as their vassal. He briefly remarks on the visits of Mr. Seguier and Mr. d’Alembert before bidding the marquise farewell.